What Is Added Time in Football? Explained in Simple Words
A simple KickZone guide for football fans.
You may have seen a match reach the 90th minute, but instead of ending, the referee shows something like +4 minutes or +7 minutes on the board.
That extra period is called added time. Many fans also call it stoppage time or injury time. It is simply extra time added because the game was paused during the half.
Added time is not a separate part of football. It is still part of the same half, added to make up for time lost during stoppages.
Why is added time given?
A football match normally has two halves of 45 minutes. But the clock keeps running even when play stops for things like injuries, substitutions or goal celebrations.
The referee adds some of that lost time at the end of each half so the actual playing time is more fair.
Common reasons for added time include:
- Player injuries and treatment
- Substitutions
- Goal celebrations
- VAR checks
- Time wasted during free-kicks, corners or throw-ins
- Any major delay during the match
Do not leave a close match just because 90 minutes are over. Some of the biggest goals happen in added time.
Who decides how much added time is given?
The match referee decides the final added time. Usually, the fourth official shows the minimum extra minutes on the electronic board near the end of the half.
The important word here is minimum. If another delay happens during added time, the referee can continue the match for longer.
For example, if the board shows +5 minutes but there is a long injury break in the 93rd minute, the match may go beyond the 95th minute.
Is added time the same as extra time?
No. These two terms sound similar, but they are different.
Added time happens at the end of normal halves because the game had pauses. It can happen in any regular league or cup match.
Extra time happens only in some knockout matches when the score is level and a winner is needed. Extra time usually means two more halves of 15 minutes each.
When you see “90+3” in a score update, it means the goal was scored in the third minute of added time after 90 minutes.
Why does added time feel longer in some matches?
Added time can feel longer when the match is close, especially when one team is defending a one-goal lead and the other team is attacking continuously.
Modern matches can also have more added time because VAR checks, long goal celebrations and injury treatment are counted more carefully than before.
That is why seeing +8, +10 or even more minutes is not unusual in a match with many interruptions.
KickZone Take
Added time is simply the referee’s way of making up for time lost during stoppages. It can be short in a smooth match or much longer in a match with injuries, VAR checks and delays.
The main thing to remember is simple: the number shown is a minimum, not always the exact final minute of the match.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 90+5 mean in football?
It means the match is in the fifth minute of added time after the normal 90 minutes.
Can a match continue after the added time shown?
Yes. The displayed time is the minimum. The referee can add more time if there is another delay during stoppage time.
Is added time given in both halves?
Yes. Added time can be given at the end of the first half and again at the end of the second half.
Is added time called injury time?
Yes. Injury time and stoppage time are common names for added time, although it can be added for many reasons besides injuries.
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